Container with cover flange and method of forming



June 25, 1963 c. E. REYNOLDS 3,095,137

CONTAINER WITH COVER FLANGE AND METHOD OF FORMING Filed Aug. 11, 1961United States Patent C) 3,095,137 CONTAINER WITH CGVER FLANGE AND METHODF FORD/ENG Clilord E. Reynolds, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to ContainerCorporation of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware FiledAug. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 130,902 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) The presentinvention relates to paperboard containers and more particularly tocontainers formed from relatively heavy paperboard and having hingedcovers provided with ydepending flanges. Among )the objects of theinvention are to provide a form of container especially suited fortransportation of bottled beverages, having hinged covers of sturdyconstruction formed with reinforcing anges on their meeting edges toafford good stacking properties; and to provide a Yform of depending,reinforcing flange on the cover members which will form a stiff andsturdy edge without leaving open channels or other openings within whichdirt or insects may collect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover flangeconstruction of the type above referred to which is permanently held atan angle of somewhat less than 90 to the under face of the cover, sothat the two hinged covers may be closed without substantialinterference with each other as would be the case if the flanges werearranged at right angles to the covers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved double-covercontainer which may be formed from a single blank of foldable paperboardand which includes depending reinforced anges on the covers andreinforced end walls provided with locking elements for engagement withlocking elements on the depending anges.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reinforced end wallconstruction for the upper portions of the container end Walls, combinedwith effective releasable locking means by which the cover flanges maybe easily ilocked in closed position and readily unlocked when it isdesired to raise the covers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method ofpositioning a depending ange on a container cover which is reinforced togive rigidity of construction, which is held `at an angle, without endsupport, so as to avoid interference between the adjacent anges of thehinged covers, and which does not include open channels or other opencrevices within which di-rt or insects may collect.

Additional and more specific objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container made in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l,with both cover panels in closed position;

FG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional sectional view, taken along -line 3-3of FIG. 2, showing the locking construction for the covers;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred form of blank from which thecontainer may be made; and

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FiG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view showing the locking parts on thepanels which form the depending cover flange.

The container is well adapted for production from a single blank offoldable paperboard and, |when employed for transportation of bottledbeverages and other relatively heavy contents, the container ispreferably made from solid iibreboard. As shown in FIG. 4, the blank issuitably cut and scored to form end yand side walls 1, 2, 3 and `4arranged in series and defined from each other by fold lines 5, 6 and 7.At the upper edges of the side and end walls along score line 8 areprovided flaps 9 and 10 forming end wall reinforcing structure, andother aps 11 and 12 forming the covers and cover reinforcing flanges.lOn the lower edges of the side and end walls are flaps 13, 13 and 14,14, hinged along score line 15. These flaps are suitably folded intooverlapping relation and secured to form the bottorn -of the container.In setting up the container an attaching flap 16 on end wall 1 issuitably secured to the free edge of side wall 4.

Flaps y11 and 12, which may be substantially identical, are scored alongparallel lines to form cover panels, 17, 17a pairs of narrowange-forming panels 18, 19 and 18a, 19a and anchoring panels 20, 20a.The cover panels are preferably of equal width to meet substantiallycentrally of the top of the container.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of the cover panels extend somewhat beyondthe ends of the side walls so that they will rest upon the upper edgesof the end wal-ls. This result is obtained by forming slots in the blank21, 22 and 23. These slots are Vodset outwardly of the cover panels andtoward the iiaps 9 and 10 on the end walls, as shown in FIG. 4.

The flaps 9 and 10 on the end Walls are scored along parallel lines toform a plurality of narrow panels 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 which are foldedand secured together -in any desired manner, as shown in FIG. 3. TheWidths of -the'panels 26, 27 and 28 are suitably selected so that thesepanels may be enclosed between panels 24 and 25. The scores betweenpanel 24 and its attached end wal-l, between panels 24 and 25, andpanels 25 and 26 may be `wide or double scores to enable the parts to beassembled properly.

A ringer opening 3@ is cut in each end wall and the lower edge ofV eachgroup of assembled narrow panels 24 to 2S is aligned with the upper edgeof each nger opening. Thus, the assembled narrow panels both reinforcethe upper portions of the end walls and serve load bearing means forcarrying the containers by hand.

In .order to assure good closing of the covers without a tendency forthe flanges to interfere with each other, the pair of flange-formingpanels 18, 19 and 18a, 19a are secured so that the flange formed by eachset of panels will extend downwardly at an angle of somewhat less thanwith respect to the under surface of the attached cover panel. For thispurpose the inner panels 19 and 19a are formed of a width slightly lessthan the effective width of the other panel measured on the side of theouter panel with which the inner panel is in Contact. The length of theinner panel is such that the fold between the inner panel and itsattached anchoring panel will fit snugly into the angle between theouter panel and its yattached cove-r panel. The parts are' preferablysecured ytogether by means of adhesive, but other means, such asstapling, may be employed. The inner and outer panels are folded `oneagainst the other and the composite flange is then brought to thedesired angle. While the parts of the flange 4are firmly held, theanchoring panel is brought snugly against the under surface of the coverand the fold between the anchoring panel and inner panel of the llangeis pressed closely in-to the fold between the outer panel and the cover.The parts are secured together while so held. As soon as the parts arefully secured they are then released from their holding 4means and theange will remain at an inwardly inclined angle of less than 90.

In the present instance both cover flanges are formed with locking meansat their ends fwhich engage cooperating locking means on the containerend walls. As best shown in FIGS. l, 3 and 5, the ends of panels 18, 19and 18a, 19a are cut to provide similar llocking projections which, whenbrought ltogether, form a composite locking element 32, the separateparts being indicated at 32a and 32b `in FIG. 5. As shown lin FIGS. land 3, the lower parts of the locking projections are inclined inwardlyaway from the end walls to facilitate downward movement of the flangeswhen closing the covers. Above the locking projection the panels are cutso as to t easily between the reinforcing parts on the upper edges ofthe end walls.

For the purpose of engaging the -at abutment surface of the lockingprojection 32, cooperating edges are provided -on the exposed panels 24,24. While these edges may be separate, it is preferred lfor the sake ofsimplicity of production, to provide the locking edge by die-cutting asingle opening in each panel 24, indicated at 3S. The upper edge of thedie-cut opening provides the locking surface under which the lockingprojections 32 on each flange may engage.

It is desirable to space the locking projections below the cover panelsso that their vertical ydistance from the lower surface of the coverpanel is approximately that of the spacing between the upper edge ofopening 35 and the upper edge of the end wall upon which the projectingportions of the cover come to rest. See FIG. 3. By this arrangementdownward pressure on the closed covers applied in the area of the endsof the flanges will assure that the locking projections will snap`beneath the upper edge of opening 35. By employing relatively stiifsolid breboard, the resiliency of the board wi-ll tend to hold thelocking parts in iirmly engaged condition.

When it is desired to release the locks and raise the covers, this maybe easily done by insertion of the fingers within the carrying opening30 on one end of the container and pulling outward and by lifting thecover at that end at the same time. A die-cut finger opening, such asindicated at 36, may be formed in one or both covers to facilitateraising the cover. After the lock is released at one end no particulareffort will be required to release the lock at the other end due to theilexibility of the cover. An outward pull at the opening 30 willdisplace or slightly deect the end Iwall suicient-ly to displace thelocking edge on the end wall from engagement with the flat surface ofthe locking projection 32 on the depending Iflange. When the covers areforced down, the inclined edges of the locking projections will tend todisplace the end wall reinforcing member outward or there will be acertain -amount of distortion momentarily produced in the ilange, or acombination of both effects. Then, as soon as the projection 32 snapsunder the upper edge of the opening 3'5, the parts tend to return totheir original condition to keep the locking parts in engagement. Y

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides asturdycontainer construction that may be fabricated from a one-pieceblank of substantially rectangular shape to minimize waste. By formingcover flanges of parts arranged in close contact and by inclining theflanges to avoid interference in closing, there is not only provided astrong and easy to handle cover construction, aiording good stackingqualities and resistance to rough handling, but, as well, the coverconstruc- 'tion eliminates open channels or crevices which could harborinsects `or within which dirt can accumulate. The container thus ishighly advantageous for use as a multitrip, returnable container forbottled beverages.

By the construction and method pursuant to which the depending flangeson the cover are held at an inclination to avoid undue interference whenclosing the covers, it is unnecessary to provide end flanges on thecover to assure that the center flanges will maintain their desiredinclination. This is quite an advantage, particularly in a onepieceblank construction, due to the fact that stock that would be requiredfor cover end iianges would necessitate employing a substantial part ofthe stock that is utilized in the present construction to provide aneffective end wall reinforcement. Y

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of theinvention, various changes may be made without departing from the spiritof the invention, and it is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, reference being had to the -appended claims rather than tothe foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A container formed from relatively thick, foldablev paperboard,comprising end and side Walls, cover panels hinged to the tcp edges ofthe side walls, each cover panel having a dimension at right angles toits hinge' to adapt it to extend substantially half-way across the topof the container, depending anges on the meeting edges of the coverpanels, each ange comprising an elongated outer panel integrally joinedalong a fold line to the outer edge of the cover and an elongated innerpanel integral-ly joined along a fold line to the free edge of the outerpanel, the end edges of said ange panels terminating adjacent the endsof the cover panel and being free of connection with the cover panel,such inner and outer panels being arranged to be secured together infacing relation and in depending relation to the cover, an anchoringpanel integrally joined along a fold line to the free edge of the innerpanel, the elective width of the inner panel being slightly less thanthe width ofV the outer panel measured ion its side rfacing the outerpanel, the inner panel being folded flat against and iirmly secured byadhesive to the outer panel, and the anchoring panel being firmlysecured by adhesive to the under face of the cover with .the anglebetween the anchoring panel and inner panel closely received within theangle formed between the outer panel and the cover, whereby the iangeson the covers are each rigidly held at an angle of less Ithan withrespect to the under surface of the attached cover.

2. A method of forming a depending iange on the free edge of a hingedcover of a paperboard container` of the type in which two hinged coversare employed having dimensions, whereby the free edges of the coverssubstantially meet across the top of the container lwhen in closedposition, the ange on the cover having elongated Aouter and inner panelsintegrally attached to the cover and to each other along parallel foldlines, there being no connection between the end edges of the flangepanels and the cover panel, the inner panel having an effective widthslightly less than the Width of the outer panel measured on its sidefacing the outer panel, and' the inner panel having van anchoring panelintegrally joined along a fold line to its free edge, such methodcomprising applying adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces of the innerand outer tlange panels, folding the inner ilange panel against theouter flange panel, bringing the double-thickness ange, formed by thetwo contacting panels, inwardly toward the cover hinge at an angle ofsubstantially [less than 96 to the cover panel land holding the ange atsuch angle, applying adhesive to one of the meeting surfaces of theanchoring panel and under side of the cover, pressing the fold betweenthe inner panel and the anchoring panel closely into the fold formedbetween the `outer panel and cover, pressing the anchoring panel Iirrnlyagainst the under surface of the cover, and continuing to `hold suchparts in the positions stated until they are fully secured.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSDEsposito Mar. 21, Steph-an Apr. l0, Ferguson Feb. 19, Drnec et al. Aug.18,

1. A CONTAINER FORMED FROM RELATIVELY THICK, FOLDABLE PAPERBOARD,COMPRISING END AND SIDE WALLS, COVER PANELS HINGED TO THE TOP EDGES OFTHE SIDE WALLS, EACH COVER PANEL HAVING A DIMENSION AT RIGHT ANGLES TOITS HINGE TO ADAPT IT TO EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY HALF-WAY ACROSS THE TOP OFTHE CONTAINER, DEPENDING FLANGES ON THE MEETING EDGES OF THE COVERPANELS, EACH FLANGE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED OUTER PANEL INTEGRALLYJOINED ALONG A FOLD LINE TO THE OUTER EDGE OF THE COVER AND AN ELONGATEDINNER PANEL INTEGRALLY JOINED ALONG A FOLD LINE TO THE FREE EDGE OF THEOUTER PANEL, THE END EDGES OF SAID FLANGE PANELS TERMINATING ADJACENTTHE ENDS OF THE COVER PANEL AND BEING FREE OF CONNECTION WITH THE COVERPANEL, SUCH INNER AND OUTER PANELS BEING ARRANGED TO BE SECURED TOGETHERIN FACING RELATION AND IN DEPENDING RELATION TO THE COVER, AN ANCHORINGPANEL INTEGRALLY JOINED ALONG A FOLD LINE TO THE FREE EDGE OF THE INNERPANEL, THE EFFECTIVE WIDTH OF THE INNER PANEL BEING SLIGHTLY LESS THANTHE WIDTH OF THE OUTER PANEL MEASURED ON ITS SIDE FACING THE OUTERPANEL, THE INNER PANEL BEING FOLDED FLAT AGAINST AND FIRMLY SECURED BYADHESIVE TO THE OUTER PANEL, AND THE ANCHORING PANEL BEING FIRMLYSECURED BY ADHESIVE TO THE UNDER FACE OF THE COVER WITH THE ANGLEBETWEEN THE ANCHORING PANEL AND INNER PANEL CLOSELY RECEIVED WITHIN THEANGLE FORMED BETWEEN THE OUTER PANEL AND THE COVER, WHEREBY THE FLANGESON THE COVERS ARE EACH RIGIDLY HELD AT AN ANGLE OF LESS THAN 90* WITHRESPECT TO THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE ATTACHED COVER.